§ 2-27-3. Forest conservation commission.
(a)(1) There is established the forest conservation commission consisting of the directors
of the department of environmental management and the department of administration,
or their respective designees; and nine (9) public members to be appointed by the
director of the department of environmental management. The public appointees shall
include at least one member with knowledge or experience in forestry; one member with
knowledge or experience with urban and community forestry; one member familiar with
land use and community planning issues; one member active in land preservation; one
member representing forest landowners; one member representing an environmental organization;
one member with knowledge of forest habitat; and one member representing a forest
products business. No person shall be eligible for appointment pursuant to this section
unless he or she is a resident of this state.
(2) The members shall serve for terms of five (5) years each; provided, however, that
of the members first appointed, one shall serve for one year, one shall serve for
two (2) years, one shall serve for three (3) years, one shall serve for four (4) years,
and the remaining members shall serve for five (5) years, from January first next
succeeding their appointment, as the director shall designate.
(3) Any vacancy occurring otherwise than by expiration of term shall be filled in the
same manner as the original appointment.
(4) Upon expiration of a member's term, that member shall continue as a member until that
member's successor is appointed and qualified. Any person serving a term shall be
eligible for appointment.
(b) No member, including ex officio members, shall receive compensation for the performance
of his or her duties as a member; provided, however, that each appointed member may
be reimbursed if funds are appropriated for his or her actual and necessary expenses
incurred during the performance of his or her official duties.
(c)(1) The commission shall designate annually from its members a chairperson and a vice
chairperson.
(2) Whenever public hearings are required under this chapter, or whenever the commission
determines a public hearing is appropriate, the commission shall use reasonable efforts
to hold those hearings at a place or places that will reasonably accommodate the interested
parties.
(3) Seven (7) voting members of the commission shall constitute a quorum for the transaction
of any business or the exercise of any power of the commission. Except as otherwise
provided in this chapter, the commission shall have the power to act by a majority
of the members present at any meeting at which a quorum is in attendance.
(d) The director may remove any member for cause or misconduct in office after giving
him or her a copy of the charges against him or her and an opportunity to be heard,
in person or by counsel, in his or her defense, upon not less than ten (10) days'
notice. If any member shall be removed, the director shall file in the office of the
secretary of state a complete statement of charges made against the member and his
or her findings, together with a complete record of the proceedings.
(e) The director shall have the authority to establish subcommittees to fulfill the purposes
of the commission. The subcommittee members shall be advisory to the commission and
shall be comprised of key stakeholders representative of the issue(s) to be addressed.